City guide: Top 10 things to do in munich

1. Take a bathPublic baths are a predominant part of German spa culture and Munich’s Müller’sches Volksbad is one of the most impressive. Housed in an elegant mansion, the art nouveau bathhouse is filled with everything from stone statues to ornate chandeliers.

2. Hit the townBerlin may be Germany’s undisputed king of the club scene, but Munich gives the capital a run for its money.P1 has been at the centre of the club scene here for years and is still a fashionable spot. With world-class DJs spinning house tunes, it’s the place to rub shoulders with Bayern Munich footballers.

3. Visit Nymphenburg ParkThe garden of Nymphenburg Palace – summer residence of past Bavarian rulers – is a lovely place to take a stroll on a crisp winter’s morning. Originally an Italian garden, it was redesigned in the French style and then remodelled to become classically English. The symmetrical gardens, central canal and lakes are stunning.

4. Watch river surfing on the EisbachPerhaps one of the more bizarre sights you’ll see in Munich is wetsuit-clad surfers making their way through the Englischer Garten to surf the Eisbach, a man-made tributary of the Isar River.

5. Visit an art galleryContemporary art is well represented in Munich, with three galleries – the Pinakothek der Moderne, the Haus der Kunst and the Museum Brandhorst – showcasing work by artists such as Richter, Warhol and Miró. This winter, catch Sugimoto’s new collection at Brandhorst, as the world-famous photographer’s work is exhibited in the city for the first time.

6. Head for the slopesThere are some excellent ski resorts close to Munich, so in winter it’s easy to combine a city and ski break. Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, is little more than an hour from the city by car and is surrounded by many of the best slopes in the Bavarian Alps.

7. Sample the other side of Bavarian cuisineFor a modern take on traditional Bavarian cuisine, try the acclaimed Schuhbecks in den Südtiroler Stuben restaurant. Situated on the cobbled Platz in the Old Town, the restaurant’s head chef Alfons Schuhbeck puts his own spin on dishes such as saure zipfel – sausages cooked in an onion broth.

8. Enjoy the viewsMunich’s Old Town is dominated by the Marienplatz, the main square, where the magical Christmas Market is held. Head to the top of New City Hall’s gothic 85-metre tower for a panoramic city view – on a clear day you can see as far as the Bavarian Alps.

9. Go to marketA short walk from the Old Town is the Viktualienmarkt, a daily market that sells fruit, vegetables, game, poultry and cheese. It’s one of the city’s real institutions and the source of ingredients for many of the best local restaurants.